PJE's Booker Blog

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Spy the Booker Victor

The Untouchable, John Banville's 1997 roman-à-clef novelisation of the life of the spy Anthony Blunt, is the book chosen for discussion this month by The Guardian's book club; and the author will be discussing it in the Guardian newsroom on Wednesday, February 22nd. Doors open at 6.30pm and entry costs £7. To reserve a ticket call 020 7886 9281 or email book.club@guardian.co.uk

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Hermione in the chair

She is possibly the youngest ever chairmanwomanperson as she won't be celebrating her 16th birthday until February 29th, 2008, according to Wikipedia (so it must be true). She knows the ropes though, having previously been a judge in 1981:

"When I was one of the judges of the Booker Prize 25 years ago, it was a great excitement to award it to a dazzling, little-known writer, Salman Rushdie," she told the Torygraph. While according to the Times she also thinks it would be better if the judges read the books without knowing who the authors are - quite right too!